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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MaxTex on April 28, 2003, at 20:18:40
In reply to Re: Having horrible side effects!! » MaxTex, posted by melley on April 28, 2003, at 19:02:57
Melley -- hope you don't mind if I reply just to the first of your seven replies. :-)
No, I'm not switching to anything else. My new insurance doesn't cover psychological treatments of any kind, and I wanted to get off the Effexor if I could anyway. I may have to reconsider, but I'll stick it out for a while and see.
I did drop off at the end from 150mg to zero. Since going from zero to 150 made no noticeable difference, I thought that would be fine. BIG MISTAKE!
Now I'm in a quandary: Do I try to go without any until I feel okay, or do I get some small doses and tailor off properly?
Think I will order 100 37.5mg tabs, and start on one or two per day when they get here (unfortunately I'll be away from home from Tuesday evening until Sunday), then shrink the dose gradually to 37.5 then maybe half that for a final week until they're finished.
I hunted around at found one last 150mg tab just now. I took a quarter of it and will do the same for the next 3 days. I'll report back on the results.
I'm also considering taking a borrowed Celexa for the next few days. Although I'm reluctant to take anything right now, what I'm reading suggests it might help. I *really really* don't want another night like last night.
Thanks,
Max
Posted by Jack Smith on April 28, 2003, at 20:31:29
In reply to Re: Having horrible side effects!! » melley, posted by MaxTex on April 28, 2003, at 20:18:40
> No, I'm not switching to anything else. My new insurance doesn't cover psychological treatments of any kind, and I wanted to get off the Effexor if I could anyway. I may have to reconsider, but I'll stick it out for a while and see.
>Are you in the US? I am pretty sure that is illegal--not covering psychiatric treatments.
Posted by Snoozy on April 28, 2003, at 20:57:42
In reply to Re: Having horrible side effects!!Maureen17, posted by MaxTex on April 28, 2003, at 17:51:54
Hi Max -
I feel for you going through awful Effexor withdrawl. That was the worst experience I ever had stopping a drug (sorry to be so encouraging ;) I took Effexor for several months when it first came on the market. I stopped taking it because of the horrific, vivid nightmares I had from it. Needless to say, my dr didn't warn me about stopping the Effexor. I have since then heard that Prozac (in small doses), because of its very long half-life, is sometimes used to help ease withdrawl from the shorter-acting SSRI's. I haven't had to do this yet, but it's something I would consider if I needed to get off another SSRI.
Do you have any type of doctor in your new state? I would think even a general practitioner would be able to prescribe you a small amount of Prozac if they knew what you were going through. I'm sorry your old dr has not been of any help.
There are lots of us out here that have been through what you're going through right now. If nothing else, we can tell you that it's not just you. Good luck to you, and let us know how it goes.
> I took my last dose of Effexor two days ago. I had been on it for about a year, taking a relatively high 412.5mg. I tapered off over five or six weeks, though dropped by 150mg at a time rather than 75mg, because dividing the capsules was a pain. My doc. didn't give me ANY warning off discontinuation side-effects.
>
> Last night I had the worst night of nightmares IN MY LIFE. Woke up almost panicking at the collection of suicidal dreams. My head has been buzzing for a couple of days too.
>
> Desperately hoping this stops soon. My doctor won't return calls. I moved states a few months ago, but last talked to him March 11. That's when I started reducing doses.
>
> Bloody awful.
>
> Max
>
>
>
Posted by Maureen17 on April 28, 2003, at 22:37:00
In reply to Re: Having horrible side effects!!Maureen17 » MaxTex, posted by Snoozy on April 28, 2003, at 20:57:42
Hello Everybody!
I've been doing some research on what's possibly in this stuff and I'm now scouting Health Food Stores to see if I can find this..."Lithium has been one of the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants for decades.
The chemical forms of Lithium (Lithium Citrate or Carbonate) are treatments for mood swings, depression and bi-polar disorder. The problem is that chemical anti-depressants can be highly toxic with severe negative side effects.
The all-natural, mineral form of Lithium is effective, safe, non-toxic, non-addictive and has no side effects!"
I found this website (www.findserenitynow.com) but I'm looking to see if I can find this mineral closer to home and less expensive. I'll let you know...
I wish everyone a good nights sleep.
Posted by Paco on April 28, 2003, at 23:26:43
In reply to Re: forgot my pills when going away » Paco, posted by Napaba on April 28, 2003, at 9:08:58
It's actually just a contact lens case that I drilled a hole in so I could put it on my keyring.
==========================================================
> Where did you find the container that goes on your key chain?
>
Posted by soulfly on April 29, 2003, at 9:24:27
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Effexor has been a nightmare...After two years I am now free from Effexor XR after agonizing withdrawl (even while tapering) I was hospitalized two times last year, I believe this drug has really done more damage than it has helped me. I was hospitalized first for a seizure which i had never suffered from. From what i can remember it was those lovely "electrical pulses" you get when you forget to take your Effexor that may have started the whole episode. The second time I was hospitalized for severe depression (something I believe this drug only added to in the long run) I have been off Effexor for 2 months, after weeks of withdrawl (even while tappering slowly), sweats, tremmors, naseau, severe headaches, etc. I am left with these electrical pulses that will hopefully stop someday.
Posted by d.g. on April 29, 2003, at 19:59:03
In reply to Re: Effexor and drinking wine » PuraVida, posted by Krissy P on March 18, 2003, at 11:51:08
Hi all - been reading through the messages and I just thought I'd put in my two cents as a three-year Effexor user, which is fairly long-term I suspect. My dosage is fairly light, 75mg per day, although I'm about to go to 150mg per day due to an increase in the frequency of my migraines.
I was prescribed Effexor XR as a preventative for my migraines and also because of some mood irregularities possibly associated with the migraines. I had the side effects almost immediately after taking my very first dose - sweating, felt extremely hyper, etc. But that faded quickly and I haven't felt a side effect since unless I miss consecutive doses (more about that later.)
Effexor has helped me a lot - in tandem with BuSpar, my migraines are well under control, and my mood swings less frequent. I probably don't help matters by drinking alcohol liberally and frequently; for the first year I took Effexor I wasn't drinking at all, the second I was drinking lightly and lately I've been partying down and I can really tell the difference. I'm going to stop drinking again as I've also been prescribed an antiepileptic.
Anyway, the only time I have had side effects is when I have missed more than a day's dose. If I miss two days' doses, I'm f***ed, plain and simple. Brain shivers, electric shock sensations, cottonmouth, extreme depression, you name it. The thing is, I can tell it's the drug and not me going mad. It's like an amazingly bad LSD trip, kind of, only it doesn't go away quickly like LSD does. My advice to anyone just starting out with this drug, is to hold back a pill or two from each batch, just in case you ever get in a situation where you can't get your script refilled as quickly as you need it.
No one should be too scared of this drug, but definitely go into it with your eyes open. Good advice for any of these very powerful psychotropics.
Posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
In reply to My experiences with Effexor, posted by d.g. on April 29, 2003, at 19:59:03
It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
> Hi all - been reading through the messages and I just thought I'd put in my two cents as a three-year Effexor user, which is fairly long-term I suspect. My dosage is fairly light, 75mg per day, although I'm about to go to 150mg per day due to an increase in the frequency of my migraines.
>
> I was prescribed Effexor XR as a preventative for my migraines and also because of some mood irregularities possibly associated with the migraines. I had the side effects almost immediately after taking my very first dose - sweating, felt extremely hyper, etc. But that faded quickly and I haven't felt a side effect since unless I miss consecutive doses (more about that later.)
>
> Effexor has helped me a lot - in tandem with BuSpar, my migraines are well under control, and my mood swings less frequent. I probably don't help matters by drinking alcohol liberally and frequently; for the first year I took Effexor I wasn't drinking at all, the second I was drinking lightly and lately I've been partying down and I can really tell the difference. I'm going to stop drinking again as I've also been prescribed an antiepileptic.
>
> Anyway, the only time I have had side effects is when I have missed more than a day's dose. If I miss two days' doses, I'm f***ed, plain and simple. Brain shivers, electric shock sensations, cottonmouth, extreme depression, you name it. The thing is, I can tell it's the drug and not me going mad. It's like an amazingly bad LSD trip, kind of, only it doesn't go away quickly like LSD does. My advice to anyone just starting out with this drug, is to hold back a pill or two from each batch, just in case you ever get in a situation where you can't get your script refilled as quickly as you need it.
>
> No one should be too scared of this drug, but definitely go into it with your eyes open. Good advice for any of these very powerful psychotropics.
Posted by cybercafe on April 29, 2003, at 21:56:21
In reply to Re: anyone else get tremors on effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on April 25, 2003, at 9:20:56
> I occasionally get small finger tremors since starting Effexor. Also, weird little involuntary muscle 'twitches.' I read somewhere that these are documented side effects.
have you taken other antidepressants? did they give you tremors as well?
Posted by melley on April 30, 2003, at 6:18:33
In reply to My experiences with Effexor, posted by d.g. on April 29, 2003, at 19:59:03
Effexor was prescribed for migraines? I have had two since being on it from never having had them before. And looked it up on the internet and that is one of the potential side effects.> Hi all - been reading through the messages and I just thought I'd put in my two cents as a three-year Effexor user, which is fairly long-term I suspect. My dosage is fairly light, 75mg per day, although I'm about to go to 150mg per day due to an increase in the frequency of my migraines.
>
> I was prescribed Effexor XR as a preventative for my migraines and also because of some mood irregularities possibly associated with the migraines. I had the side effects almost immediately after taking my very first dose - sweating, felt extremely hyper, etc. But that faded quickly and I haven't felt a side effect since unless I miss consecutive doses (more about that later.)
>
> Effexor has helped me a lot - in tandem with BuSpar, my migraines are well under control, and my mood swings less frequent. I probably don't help matters by drinking alcohol liberally and frequently; for the first year I took Effexor I wasn't drinking at all, the second I was drinking lightly and lately I've been partying down and I can really tell the difference. I'm going to stop drinking again as I've also been prescribed an antiepileptic.
>
> Anyway, the only time I have had side effects is when I have missed more than a day's dose. If I miss two days' doses, I'm f***ed, plain and simple. Brain shivers, electric shock sensations, cottonmouth, extreme depression, you name it. The thing is, I can tell it's the drug and not me going mad. It's like an amazingly bad LSD trip, kind of, only it doesn't go away quickly like LSD does. My advice to anyone just starting out with this drug, is to hold back a pill or two from each batch, just in case you ever get in a situation where you can't get your script refilled as quickly as you need it.
>
> No one should be too scared of this drug, but definitely go into it with your eyes open. Good advice for any of these very powerful psychotropics.
Posted by indigomoon on April 30, 2003, at 14:31:31
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by melley on April 30, 2003, at 6:18:33
I have been on effexor for aprox. 1 year and I think it has stoped working and the side affects are getting worse. I'm on 150mg dose and am currently trying to wean myself off, im currently at 75 my syptoms started off with slight memory loss/now savere i am unable to sleep and when i miss one dose or even have it timed wrong i go into a MELT DOWN. How long will it take on 75 to balance out enough to reduce again, and how can i help the process. boy, this stuff worked great at first but know I'm feelin stoned half the time help
Posted by pamina on April 30, 2003, at 16:15:30
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by indigomoon on April 30, 2003, at 14:31:31
Switched health plans April 1st, and have been dealing with a fiendish Pharmacy Benefit Manager ever since. They use a mail order pharmacy. Sent in my prescription, but haven't received the medicine yet, so ran out of Effexor. Thought I could grit my teeth and stick it out, while the insurance pinheads straightened things out. Had no idea of Effexor withdrawal syndrome. It has been five days, and the symptoms have brought me to my knees. Close call whether physical symptoms (headache, nausea, intense vertigo) are worse than emotional (bursting into tears at the drop of a hat). Also, for some reason talking like Tarzan! (making jokes -- good sign) Finally had brother-in-law orthopod call in prescription to pharmacy, and paid outlandish full price. Moral -- don't take temporary sabbatical from Effexor without medical assistance. Only question remaining -- how long before medication kicks in and life is worth living again?
Posted by dde on April 30, 2003, at 17:26:53
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
> It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
>
> If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
>
> > Hi all - been reading through the messages and I just thought I'd put in my two cents as a three-year Effexor user, which is fairly long-term I suspect. My dosage is fairly light, 75mg per day, although I'm about to go to 150mg per day due to an increase in the frequency of my migraines.
> >
> > I was prescribed Effexor XR as a preventative for my migraines and also because of some mood irregularities possibly associated with the migraines. I had the side effects almost immediately after taking my very first dose - sweating, felt extremely hyper, etc. But that faded quickly and I haven't felt a side effect since unless I miss consecutive doses (more about that later.)
> >
> > Effexor has helped me a lot - in tandem with BuSpar, my migraines are well under control, and my mood swings less frequent. I probably don't help matters by drinking alcohol liberally and frequently; for the first year I took Effexor I wasn't drinking at all, the second I was drinking lightly and lately I've been partying down and I can really tell the difference. I'm going to stop drinking again as I've also been prescribed an antiepileptic.
> >
> > Anyway, the only time I have had side effects is when I have missed more than a day's dose. If I miss two days' doses, I'm f***ed, plain and simple. Brain shivers, electric shock sensations, cottonmouth, extreme depression, you name it. The thing is, I can tell it's the drug and not me going mad. It's like an amazingly bad LSD trip, kind of, only it doesn't go away quickly like LSD does. My advice to anyone just starting out with this drug, is to hold back a pill or two from each batch, just in case you ever get in a situation where you can't get your script refilled as quickly as you need it.
> >
> > No one should be too scared of this drug, but definitely go into it with your eyes open. Good advice for any of these very powerful psychotropics.
>
>About the alcohol and migraines: I had my oldest daughter into a neurologist YESTERDAY about dibilitating migraines. He told her to drink only Vodka....very funny considering she is only 18. He also said she was having rebound headaches from taking tylenol and excedrine for the migraines....said noone tells us in America that these meds can be addicting and/or cause rebound. I was impressed. Best of luck, de
Posted by d.g. on April 30, 2003, at 17:56:42
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
> It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
>
> If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
Hi -My migraines don't seem to be affected by alcohol at all. I don't drink at all, I get them; I drink wine and beer and everything else, I get them. In fact, I haven't been able to pinpoint any trigger. My grandmother had them and my mother has them - so I guess I inherited this problem.
Someone else (I can't find the post) expressed suprise that Effexor would be prescribed as a migraine preventative; well, all I know is it has worked. I do still get migraines, but only once a month or so. Before I went on Effexor + BuSpar, I had a continuous migraine that lasted about four months straight. :( No kidding.
Posted by melley on April 30, 2003, at 19:45:36
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by d.g. on April 30, 2003, at 17:56:42
> > It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
> >
> > If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
>
>
> Hi -
>
> My migraines don't seem to be affected by alcohol at all. I don't drink at all, I get them; I drink wine and beer and everything else, I get them. In fact, I haven't been able to pinpoint any trigger. My grandmother had them and my mother has them - so I guess I inherited this problem.
>
> Someone else (I can't find the post) expressed suprise that Effexor would be prescribed as a migraine preventative; well, all I know is it has worked. I do still get migraines, but only once a month or so. Before I went on Effexor + BuSpar, I had a continuous migraine that lasted about four months straight. :( No kidding.
That was me, and I feel very sorry for you with the migraines. What an awful thing! I thought I was going to die...nothing helped til it went away on its own. I can't imagine four months. You must be a strong person to have gotten through that....mel
Posted by Snoozy on April 30, 2003, at 20:07:14
In reply to MIGRAINES, posted by dde on April 30, 2003, at 17:26:53
I was a little bit younger than your daughter is now when I started having migraines. When I was a teenager, I also started having daily tension-type headaches - this went on for about 10 years. My doctors told me to stop any type of analgesic/painkiller because they thought the daily tension headaches were actually rebound headaches from the meds. About 4 years ago I did stop taking any painkillers, and my daily tension headaches were pretty much gone. Today if I take tylenol for a muscle ache, I do get a rebound headache. I still have migraines, but that's a whole other kettle of fish :)
I just posted something about this yesterday - earlier this year I saw a segment on 20/20 about analgesic rebound headaches and about the same time there was an article in the New York Times magazine about it. I tapered my painkillers over time, just did it on my own. If your daughter does try to stop the medications, be careful about tapering off caffeine (Excedrin). People with migraines tend to be very sensitive to caffeine withdrawl.
Did your daughter get any of the triptan rescue medications? When I do caffeine withdrawl, I make sure I have plenty on hand!
She's lucky there are now good treatments available for migraine. I'm somewhat lucky I suppose, as I only had to suffer through about 5 years of no migraine relief.
Good luck to her, and if you guys have any questions about my experience, I'd be happy to answer them!
> > It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
> >
> > If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
> >
> > > Hi all - been reading through the messages and I just thought I'd put in my two cents as a three-year Effexor user, which is fairly long-term I suspect. My dosage is fairly light, 75mg per day, although I'm about to go to 150mg per day due to an increase in the frequency of my migraines.
> > >
> > > I was prescribed Effexor XR as a preventative for my migraines and also because of some mood irregularities possibly associated with the migraines. I had the side effects almost immediately after taking my very first dose - sweating, felt extremely hyper, etc. But that faded quickly and I haven't felt a side effect since unless I miss consecutive doses (more about that later.)
> > >
> > > Effexor has helped me a lot - in tandem with BuSpar, my migraines are well under control, and my mood swings less frequent. I probably don't help matters by drinking alcohol liberally and frequently; for the first year I took Effexor I wasn't drinking at all, the second I was drinking lightly and lately I've been partying down and I can really tell the difference. I'm going to stop drinking again as I've also been prescribed an antiepileptic.
> > >
> > > Anyway, the only time I have had side effects is when I have missed more than a day's dose. If I miss two days' doses, I'm f***ed, plain and simple. Brain shivers, electric shock sensations, cottonmouth, extreme depression, you name it. The thing is, I can tell it's the drug and not me going mad. It's like an amazingly bad LSD trip, kind of, only it doesn't go away quickly like LSD does. My advice to anyone just starting out with this drug, is to hold back a pill or two from each batch, just in case you ever get in a situation where you can't get your script refilled as quickly as you need it.
> > >
> > > No one should be too scared of this drug, but definitely go into it with your eyes open. Good advice for any of these very powerful psychotropics.
> >
> >
>
> About the alcohol and migraines: I had my oldest daughter into a neurologist YESTERDAY about dibilitating migraines. He told her to drink only Vodka....very funny considering she is only 18. He also said she was having rebound headaches from taking tylenol and excedrine for the migraines....said noone tells us in America that these meds can be addicting and/or cause rebound. I was impressed. Best of luck, de
Posted by jtc on April 30, 2003, at 22:42:01
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by melley on April 30, 2003, at 19:45:36
> > > It's great you've found something that helps your migraines. That is an excellent idea to keep an emergency stash of Effexor. I had a horrible experience coming off Effexor. It's definitely not you - I had all of those symptoms and so do many many others when they miss a dose.
> > >
> > > If you've already heard this before, I apologize. But if you do drink, stay away from anything that is aged - wine, beer, basically everything. The migraine clinic told me that if I want to drink, I should stick with vodka. Don't know it that helps or not!
> >
> >
> > Hi -
> >
> > My migraines don't seem to be affected by alcohol at all. I don't drink at all, I get them; I drink wine and beer and everything else, I get them. In fact, I haven't been able to pinpoint any trigger. My grandmother had them and my mother has them - so I guess I inherited this problem.
> >
> > Someone else (I can't find the post) expressed suprise that Effexor would be prescribed as a migraine preventative; well, all I know is it has worked. I do still get migraines, but only once a month or so. Before I went on Effexor + BuSpar, I had a continuous migraine that lasted about four months straight. :( No kidding.
>
>
> That was me, and I feel very sorry for you with the migraines. What an awful thing! I thought I was going to die...nothing helped til it went away on its own. I can't imagine four months. You must be a strong person to have gotten through that....
>
> melHi, That is interesting that Effexor helped migraines. I think it also helped my migraines. But I am now off of effexor for about a month and I am starting to get more frequent tension and migraine headaches so I think effexor was good for headaches. My PCP suggested taking an antidepressant for headaches. I worry about a lot of things and have a lot of held in anger at my husband. It is a long story but I think that is part of my prolem with headaches. I take Imitrex and fioricet for the migraines but my doctor suggested I try topamax but I am a little afraid to try it. Oh well I will see how I do off the effexor. I am finding that I am extremely depressed and irritable and moody but I don't think I would take effexor again. Anyway keep us posted about migraines. Good luck with your migraines.
jtc
>
Posted by pamina on May 1, 2003, at 11:23:45
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by jtc on April 30, 2003, at 22:42:01
I had to stop Effexor suddenly because I ran out when my new (mail order) prescripton plan didn't get refills to me on time. I called the inaptly named "customer service line," and went through a whole voice mail thing. By the time I got to the part where I was supposed to leave a message, I was sobbing hysterically -- couldn't speak. I called my doctor, but could not get past her tigress of an office manager, who would NOT let me speak to the doctor, because it was a "prescription problem." She kept transferring me to the "pharmacy refill line" -- more voice mail. Meanwhile, I was sick to death with vertigo and headaches, and could hardly use the phone because I could hardly stop crying. I didn't have the wherewithal to keep fighting. I was so overwhelmed and helpless. Luckily, my sister happened to call me that afternoon and recognized that I was a basket case. She got her husband, an orthopedist, to call in an Effexor prescription to a local pharmacy.
I managed to drive to the pharmacy, where they told me they didn't fill it because my insurance company (the ^@#$!! pharmacy benefit manager)wouldn't cover it. I clenched my fists, gritted my teeth, and vowed not to cry in public, but of course within seconds tears were rolling down my face. (As embarrassing at this was, it had its advantages in that they filled it right away, and "allowed" me to simply pay for it myself.) Effexor withdrawal has the added burden of making it overwhelmingly hard to get help for your Effextor withdrawal! I shudder to think what kind of shape I would have been in today if my sister hadn't called.
Posted by cmcdougall on May 1, 2003, at 13:21:55
In reply to Another Effexor withdrawal issue, posted by pamina on May 1, 2003, at 11:23:45
Hi all,
I have tried many things (triptans, neuontin, topomax, and many ADs) for my migraines and nothing helped until Zonegran. I have been taking 200mg each night for the past 3 months for prevention. My headaches decreased in frequency and for the past 2 months I have not had a single migraine. I used to have 7 or 8 a MONTH. No cognitive deficit with the Zonegran either.
Zonegran has changed my life!
One thing that used to help abort a migraine when I would start to feel that "burpy" malaise feeling that let me know one was coming - a shot of Southern Comfort! I don't know why... I would even keep a flask in my purse. My husband told me I was becoming a lush, but my neurologist laughed and said the flask was too small to turn anyone into a lush ;-)
Good luck!
Carly
Posted by Scorch on May 1, 2003, at 13:27:50
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for anxiety and panic disorder? I was hospitalised Sept 2002 and put on 150mg, which was then raised to 225mg in January. It never got rid of the anxiety enough to give me a fully functional existence. I've just had to reduce to 150mg because of side effects (excess sweating, hot flushes etc). Should I give up and get another antidepressant? Is there any chance I'll get any better at this dose? I've been on Seroxat (Paxil), Prozac and loads of various tricyclics and even an MAOI. I'm getting desperate. I've not been able to function for 2 YEARS - I have no concentration span and have taken 5 years (so far) to complete a 3 year PhD. Any advice would be helpful.
Posted by cruzandfamily on May 1, 2003, at 14:09:52
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor » d.g., posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 21:21:13
I have been hospitalized four or five times because of panic attacks. I have been on 150 mg of effexor for one year. I have no problem as long as I remember to take it. If you really want help, REMEMBER to take it!!! I was also just put on 25mg of topamax. I take zanax for emergencies. My doctor just told me the only real way I can get over my anxieties is to get psychotherapy. I am not sure I can afford it. I cannot even really work a full week. Everything is just happening fast right now. Where can I get help?
Posted by lovemybabies on May 1, 2003, at 18:12:40
In reply to effexor and anxiety-panic attacks, posted by cruzandfamily on May 1, 2003, at 14:09:52
There's a great book I got off the Dr. Laura website--THE ANXIETY BOOK. I can't remember the author.(yes, I'm too lazy to run upstairs). It deals with the different types of anxiety(generalized, social, etc.) and ways to overcome them. It's very well-written. It has helped me a great deal, as I'm too busy with two small children and a husband who works 60 hours/week to see a counselor.
Good luck!
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 1, 2003, at 22:28:58
In reply to Re: effexor and anxiety-panic attacks, posted by lovemybabies on May 1, 2003, at 18:12:40
> There's a great book I got off the Dr. Laura website--THE ANXIETY BOOK.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Ritch on May 1, 2003, at 23:10:20
In reply to Effexor and Anxiety, posted by Scorch on May 1, 2003, at 13:27:50
> Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for anxiety and panic disorder? I was hospitalised Sept 2002 and put on 150mg, which was then raised to 225mg in January. It never got rid of the anxiety enough to give me a fully functional existence. I've just had to reduce to 150mg because of side effects (excess sweating, hot flushes etc). Should I give up and get another antidepressant? Is there any chance I'll get any better at this dose? I've been on Seroxat (Paxil), Prozac and loads of various tricyclics and even an MAOI. I'm getting desperate. I've not been able to function for 2 YEARS - I have no concentration span and have taken 5 years (so far) to complete a 3 year PhD. Any advice would be helpful.
You didn't mention any benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants. Sometimes Depakote, Neurontin, Topamax, Tegretol, etc. work for treatment-resistant panic when antidepressants fail. Sometimes combinations of TCA+SSRI, MAOI+TCA, anticonvulsant+TCA or SSRI or MAOI are found to work.
Posted by Scorch on May 2, 2003, at 16:32:15
In reply to Re: Effexor and Anxiety » Scorch, posted by Ritch on May 1, 2003, at 23:10:20
I have never forgotten to take my meds. I'm really fastidious about it. I took Librium (chlordiazepoxide?)for emergencies before, but it stopped working becuase I'd been using it for 6 years. Then I was given Diazepam, but that was appalling. I got really severe depressive episodes as the drug wore off, which ended up with a visit to the ER and 10 stitches. Apparently this abreaction is common. I'm now on Lorazepam. It works OK in an emergency but, as with the other benzos, I can't take it as a daily thing because it makes my head fuzzy. I was given an antipsychotic called Perfenazine (Fentazin) but the side effects were bad. I've just had another day of misery and I don't know what to do. My doctor is unavailable for the 3 day weekend, and when I go to the ER they lecture me for wasting their time: "There are REAL sick people out there you know..."
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